Part 7: Assignment Guides
33 Policy Brief
Structure of a Policy Brief
The goal of a policy brief is to inform decision-makers about a specific problem or issue and provide evidence-based recommendations for action. Just like the Policy Paper, your Policy Brief will start with defining the problem and funneling the reader’s attention to the proposed solution. This Policy Brief will be focused on presenting research findings or policy recommendations on fluorogel remediation method for maximum impact. The expected paper length is 1 – 2 pages, as needed to make your policy recommendation, targeted at policy makers or stakeholders.
Policy Brief Template
Names of contributing members: [Insert Group Names Here]
Recommendation: Communicate your decision as to where you would strategically place the fluorogel remediation method for maximum impact to the local Michigan system diagram.
Background: Use the Background section to provide the audience with an understanding of the current state of the PFAS sustainability problem. The Background section can be about 1 paragraph in length and should address the points outlined below:
- What is the general background needed to understand what is going on and how we got here?
- What is the underlying chemistry of this sustainability problem, and how does it work?
Defining the Problem: With this general background in mind, use your understanding of PFAS from Case Study 3 to define the problem. The Defining the Problem section should be about 1 paragraph in which you should:
- Define the problem,
- Describe why it is a problem,
- Identify the stakeholders associated with the problem, and
- Specify the criteria/constraints that must be addressed for an acceptable solution.
Evidence: Present the key evidence used to evaluate the possible solutions to the problem, including any necessary data
your group utilized to design your own proposed solution. In your evidence section, be sure to:
- Specify the criteria/constraints you used to make your decision,
- Include the appropriate data that presents a systematic evaluation of solutions,
- Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of each solution with regards to the criteria/constraints, and
- Provide an evidence-based decision of your solution to the problem.
Conclusion & Implications: Summarize your analysis by briefly addressing the following:
- Restate the problem you defined for Case Study 3.
- Summarize the potential solutions you investigated in the beSocratic activity.
- What would be the challenges, strengths, and implications of each proposed solution?
- What are areas for future improvement as it relates to the sustainability problem highlighted in Case Study 3?
References: Be sure to include any references you cited in this final section of the Policy Paper. You can use the ACS citation format as outlined here: ACS Style Quick Guide
Policy Brief Success Guide
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Goals for Policy Brief |
Strengths & Suggestions for Improvement |
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Main point |
Did the team reference the key problem in a concise fashion? Did the team synthesize their findings into concise main point(s), decisions, and/or recommendations? |
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Background: Problem Definition |
Did the team identify the problem, key stakeholders, and the criteria needed to evaluate potential solutions? |
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Background: Explanatory Model of Chemistry |
Did the team summarize their understanding of the key chemistry underpinning this problem? |
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Summary of Proposed Solutions |
Did the team summarize the evidence to evaluate the potential solutions to the above-defined problem? Does the evidence presented address key stakeholder concerns? |
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Recommended Solution |
Does the team justify their recommendation? Did the team prioritize evidence that supports their conclusions? |
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Conclusion & Implementation |
Did the team outline a blueprint for implementing their recommendation? |
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References |
Do they include references in-text? Do they have a reference list at the end of the paper? |
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